Cats: Destructive Scratching

The trick is to teach your cat what they can scratch - and what is off limits

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You probably don't agree with your cat's ideas for remodeling your living room. But your cat doesn't claw the couch or scrape the drapes because they're a bad kitty.

Cats scratch for many reasons: to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent (they have scent glands on their paws), and to stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.

Scratching is a normal, instinctive behavior and you don't want to discourage it completely. Instead, your goal should be getting your cat to scratch acceptable objects, like a scratching post.

Cats just want to have fun

Scratching posts and pads are available in all shapes, sizes and materials. But if you're feeling industrious, you can easily find DIY building plans online or try one a homemade alternative using these tips:

A sturdy, rope-covered upright post; a flat scratch pad of corrugated cardboard, the back side of a carpet square or a small log with the bark still on can make excellent scratching pads (just be sure that wood hasn't been treated with chemicals before bringing it inside)

A scratching object can be free-standing, lie on the floor or hang from a doorknob. Experiment to find out what your cat prefers or, even better, provide a variety of scratching objects in different places and positions.

Rub a little catnip into the post or attach a toy to the top to make it even more attractive.

Praise your cat for using the post or any other object that is acceptable for them to scratch.

Make it clear

Location, location, location

Put the posts where your cat wants them — like next to their sleeping spot for a quick stretch after a nap or by the front door for a really intense session after they greet you. Place posts in prominent spots on each level of the house so they don't have to go far to indulge.

Once your cat is regularly using their post, you can move it little by little to where you'd like it. But, really, why tempt fate? Better to leave it in their favorite spot so they leave your favorite things alone.

Stop kitty

Scolding your cat only works if you catch them scratching an off-limits object. If you try to punish them after the fact, they won't know what they've done wrong and could learn to fear you. Never yell at or hit your cat as punishment: they may start to avoid you altogether.

If you do catch your cat shredding a "naughty spot," interrupt them by making a loud noise (clap your hands, shake a can of pennies or pebbles, slap the wall) and redirect their scratching to one of the acceptable items. Do this consistently to teach them "sofa bad, post good."

Clipping claws

Cats who are sedentary may not wear down their claws through exercise and their nails can become overgrown. Left untrimmed, claws can grow into your cat's paw pads, leading to infection, pain and difficulty walking or using the litter box. Check your cat's claws every couple of weeks to see if they need to be clipped.